Holder for a user identification badge and an associated method

ABSTRACT

A badge holding system, a holder for a user identification badge and an associated method are provided in order to provide an alert in response to the identification of one or more objects proximate the holder of the badge holding system. In relation to a holder, the holder includes a housing to receive and hold the user identification badge and a controller carried by the housing. The holder also includes a proximity identification system carried by the housing to identify one or more objects proximate the holder. The proximity identification system also provides information to the controller regarding the one or more objects that have been identified. The holder further includes an alerting output device carried by the housing and responsive to the controller. The alerting output device provides an alert in response to identification of one or more objects proximate the holder.

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

A holder for a user identification badge is provided in accordance withan example and, more particularly, a holder for a user identificationbadge that provides an alert in response to the identification of one ormore objects proximate the holder.

BACKGROUND

Working or other environments may include a variety of activitiesoccurring simultaneously, for which situational awareness is desired.Such working environments, e.g., a manufacturing environment, canpresent unique challenges for monitoring these conditions due to thesimultaneous existence of complex operations, workers and/or bystanderspresent in the environment, equipment within the environment, productswithin the environment and processes within the environment, among otherthings.

In order to alert others of the presence of an individual, personalsafety devices have been developed that may be worn or otherwise carriedby the individual. Examples of these personal safety devices include alight that repeatedly flashes to provide an indication as to thepresence of the individual and/or a reflective element to similarlyprovide an indication of the presence of the individual in response toillumination of the reflective element. These personal safety devicesare frequently attached to a bag or backpack carried by the individualor alternatively may be attached to a lanyard that is worn by theindividual and carries, for example, a user identification badge of theindividual. These personal safety devices are intended to alert othersto the presence of the individual and provide no information or alert tothe individual as to the presence of other individuals, machinery or thelike. Thus, these personal safety devices rely upon others to recognizethe presence of the individual, but do not provide any information oralert to the individual to give awareness of what is happening aroundthe individual.

Additionally, the other individuals alerted by the personal safetydevice may be limited in that not all other individuals in proximity tothe individual carrying the personal safety device will necessarily bealerted. For example, other individuals may be located around a corneror behind a door or other obstacle relative to the personal safetydevice and, as a result, may not be alerted by the personal safetydevice even though the individual carrying the personal safety device isin the near proximity. Also, in instances in which the personal safetydevice is clipped to a backpack worn by an individual, other individualswho are behind the individual carrying the personal safety device may bealerted, but other individuals including those in front of theindividual carrying the personal safety device and, therefore, in thepath of travel of the individual carrying the personal safety device maynot be alerted even though those other individuals in the path of travelof the individual carrying the personal safety device may be more likelyto interact with an individual carrying the personal safety device.Additionally, in instances in which a personal safety device is carriedby or otherwise incorporated within a lanyard, many individuals mayelect to clip their user identification badge to their clothing and, asa result, may not wear a lanyard, thereby limiting the individuals whomay take advantage of a lanyard-based personal safety device.

Also, the personal safety devices generally just announce the presenceof the individual and do not provide any other information, such asinformation regarding any emergency conditions, such as a medicalemergency, a security situation or the like. Thus, the functionality ofsuch personal safety devices is limited.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A badge holding system, a holder for a user identification badge and anassociated method are provided in accordance with an example in order toprovide an alert in response to the identification of one or moreobjects proximate the holder of the badge holding system. The alert thatis provided serves to alert the user of the badge holding system suchthat the user is made aware of the nearby object(s), thereby enablingthe user to proactively take action to avoid an incident with the nearbyobject(s). The badge holding system, the holder for a useridentification badge and the associated method of one example alsopermit an alarm signal to be transmitted along with a location of thebadge holding system, such as in response to user input, in order topermit medical personnel, security personnel or the like, to bedispatched, thereby further increasing the functionality of the badgeholding system and the safety of the user.

In an example, a holder is provided for a user identification badge. Theholder includes a housing configured to receive and hold the useridentification badge and a controller carried by the housing. The holderalso includes a proximity identification system, such as a radiofrequency identification device (RFID) tag, carried by the housing andconfigured to identify one or more objects proximate the holder. Theproximity identification system is also configured to provideinformation to the controller regarding the one or more objects thathave been identified. The holder further includes an alerting outputdevice carried by the housing and responsive to the controller. Thealerting output device is configured to provide an alert in response toidentification of one or more objects proximate the holder.

The alerting output device of an example includes one or more of thefollowing: one or more lights configured to provide a visible alert, oneor more speakers configured to provide an audible alert or a vibrationsource configured to provide a vibratory alert. The holder of an examplealso includes a location tracking system carried by the housing andconfigured to determine a location of the holder. The holder of thisexample can also include a wireless transmitter carried by the housingand an emergency alarm input device carried by the housing andresponsive to user input in order to signal the controller. Thecontroller, in turn, is configured to cause the wireless transmitter totransmit an alarm signal along with the location of the holder. Theholder of an example also includes an energy storage device carried bythe housing that is configured to store energy harvested from kineticmovement of the holder. The holder of an example also includes anelectromagnetic shield carried by the housing and positioned between theproximity identification system and the user of the holder.

In another example, a badge holding system is provided that includes auser identification badge and a holder including a housing configured toreceive and hold the user identification badge. The holder also includesa proximity identification system carried by the housing and configuredto identify one or more objects proximate the housing. The holderfurther includes an alerting output device carried by the housing andconfigured to provide an alert in response to identification of one ormore objects proximate the holder.

The holder of an example also includes a badge identification systemconfigured to identify the user of the user identification badge. Inthis example, the user identification badge and the holder may eachinclude a respective badge identification system configured to informthe holder of an identity of the user of the user identification badge.The holder of an example also includes a location tracking systemcarried by the housing and configured to determine a location of theholder. In this example, the holder may also include a wirelesstransmitter carried by the housing and an emergency alarm input devicecarried by the housing and responsive to user input so as to cause thewireless transmitter to transmit an alarm signal along with the locationof the holder. The holder of an example also includes an electromagneticshield carried by the housing and positioned between the proximityidentification system and the user of the badge holding system.

In a further example, a method is provided for alerting a user having auser identification badge. The method includes holding the useridentification badge in a housing of a holder. The method also includesidentifying one or more objects proximate the holder with a proximityidentification system, such as a radio frequency identification device(RFID) tag, carried by the housing. The method further includesproviding information to a controller carried by the housing regardingthe one or more objects that have been identified. The methodadditionally includes causing an alerting output device carried by thehousing to provide an alert in response to identification of one or moreobjects proximate the holder.

The alerting output device of an example includes one or more of thefollowing: one or more lights configured to provide a visible alert, oneor more speakers configured to provide an audible alert or a vibrationsource configured to provide a vibratory alert. The method of an examplealso includes determining a location of the holder with a locationtracking system carried by the housing. The method of this example mayalso include receiving user input via an emergency alarm input devicecarried by the housing in order to signal the controller and causing awireless transmitter to transmit an alarm signal along with the locationof the holder. The method of an example also includes storing energyharvested from kinetic movement of the holder. The method of an examplealso includes at least partially electromagnetically shielding the userwith an electromagnetic shield carried by the housing and positionedbetween the proximity identification system and the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Having thus described examples of the present disclosure in generalterms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, whichare not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a badge holding system including a useridentification badge and a holder in accordance with an example of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a badge holding system taken along line 2-2 ofFIG. 1 and including a holder having an electromagnetic shield carriedby the housing in accordance with an example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a holder for a user identification badge inaccordance with an example of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the operations performed generally by a badgeholding system, such as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and more particularly bya holder, such as shown in FIG. 3, in accordance with an example of thepresent disclosure; and

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the operations performed generally by a badgeholding system, such as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and more particularly bya holder, such as shown in FIG. 3, in accordance with another example ofthe present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some examples of the present disclosure will now be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some,but not all, examples are shown. Indeed, various examples may beembodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limitedto the examples set forth herein; rather, these examples are provided sothat this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Likereference numerals refer to like elements throughout. As used herein,the terms “data,” “content,” “information,” and similar terms may beused interchangeably to refer to data capable of being transmitted,received and/or stored in accordance with examples of the presentdisclosure. Thus, use of any such terms should not be taken to limit thespirit and scope of examples of the present disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a badge holding system 10 in accordance with anexample is depicted. The badge holding system includes a useridentification badge 12 and a holder 14 configured to receive and holdthe user identification badge. The user identification badge generallyidentifies the user who wears or otherwise carries the badge holdingsystem. In this regard, the badge holding system may be attached to alanyard and hung around the neck of the user, may include a clip orother attachment mechanism for being secured to an article of clothingof the user or may be worn or carried by the user in other manners.Although the badge holding system and the user identification badgecarried thereby may be employed in a variety of different contexts withthe user identification badge potentially providing different types ofinformation regarding the user depending upon the context, the badgeholding system of an example is utilized in a work environment toidentify the user. As such, the user identification badge may identifythe user as an employee, a contractor, a vendor, a visitor or the like.Although the user identification badge may take various forms and, assuch, may have various shapes and sizes, the user identification badgeof an example is a generally rectangular card which may include indiciaregarding the user, such as the user name, an employee or otheridentification number, a photo of the user or the like.

The holder 14 may include a housing 16 configured to receive and holdthe user identification badge 12. Although the housing may be configuredin various manners, the housing of one example has a form factor thatgenerally matches, but is slightly larger than, the user identificationbadge. As shown in FIG. 2, the housing of this example also defines aninternal cavity 18 opening through a slit 21 in a side wall, such as theupper side wall 20, of the holder and sized to receive the useridentification badge therethrough. Thus, the user identification badgemay be slipped into the internal cavity defined by the housing throughthe slit, such as defined by the upper side wall of the housing.

In one example and as shown in FIG. 2, the housing 16 includes a base 22that underlies the user identification badge 12 and a window or othercovering 24 that overlies the user identification badge with theinternal cavity 18 therebetween. The window or other covering may betransparent or translucent such that the user identification badge isvisible therethrough. For example, the window or other covering may be atransparent or translucent plastic material through which the useridentification badge is visible. The housing of an example includes amechanism for securing the user identification badge within the internalcavity 18 once the user identification badge has been insertedthereinto. For example, a slot 23 may be defined through an upperportion of the housing proximate the upper side wall 20 with the slotextending through both the window or other covering as well as the baseof the housing. A clip may be inserted through the slot following theinsertion of the user identification badge into the internal cavitydefined by the housing. The clip, in turn, may be attached to an articleof clothing of the user or may be attached to or form a portion of alanyard. In either instance, the clip extends across the slit 21 definedby the upper side wall of the housing and prevents the useridentification badge from being withdrawn from the internal cavitydefined by the housing until the clip has been disconnected from thehousing, thereby temporarily but securely retaining the useridentification badge within the holder 14.

The holder 14 of the badge holding system 10 not only includes a housing16 to receive and hold the user identification badge 12, but includes anumber of additional components to provide added functionality,including the provision of alerts in response to the identification ofone or more objects proximate the holder. As shown in FIG. 3, the holderof an example includes a controller 30 carried by the housing. In thisregard, the controller may be attached to the housing, such as the base22 of the housing, or may be embedded or otherwise disposed within thebase of the housing. The controller may be embodied in various manners,including as one or more of various hardware processing means such as acoprocessor, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signalprocessor (DSP), a processing element with or without an accompanyingDSP, or various other processing circuitry including integrated circuitssuch as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit),an FPGA (field programmable gate array), a microcontroller unit (MCU), ahardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, or the like. Insome examples, the controller may be configured to execute instructionsstored in a memory device or otherwise accessible to the controller. Thememory device may be an electronic storage device (e.g., a computerreadable storage medium) comprising gates configured to store data(e.g., bits) that may be retrievable by a machine (e.g., a computingdevice like the controller). The memory device may be configured tostore information, data, content, applications, instructions, or thelike for enabling the controller to carry out various functions inaccordance with an example of the present disclosure. For example, thememory device could be configured to store instructions for execution bythe controller. Alternatively, the controller may be configured toexecute hard coded functionality.

The holder 14 of the example depicted in FIG. 2 also includes aproximity identification system 32 carried by the housing 16 andconfigured to identify one or more objects proximate the holder. As withthe controller 30, the proximity identification system may be attachedto the housing, such as the base 22 of the housing, or embedded orotherwise disposed within the base of the housing. The proximityidentification system may be embodied in various manners. For example,the proximity identification system may include a radio frequencyidentification device (RFID) tag. The RFID tag may interact with one ormore RFID tags carried by other objects in the proximity of the holder,and through this interaction may identify the one or more other objects.In this regard, the identification of the one or more other objectsproximate the holder may be the identification of the presence of one ormore objects proximate the holder or more specific identification,including the identification of the specific identity, such as by name,number, or the like, of one or more objects in the proximity of theholder.

The proximity identification system 32 is configured to identify variousobjects proximate the holder 14. These objects may include other peopleas well as machinery. In an example in which the proximityidentification includes an RFID tag, any other type of objects that isalso carrying an RFID tag may be identified, including other peoplewearing a badge holding system 10 which includes a corresponding RFIDtag. Further, the object(s) that are identified by the proximityidentification system need not be visible to the user, but may be arounda corner, behind a door or other obstacle or otherwise out of the fieldof view of the user, so long as the object(s) are proximate the holderas defined by the operable range of the proximity identification systemand are therefore able to be detected by the proximity identificationsystem. In one example, an object is considered proximate the holder inan instance in which the object is within the operable range of theproximity identification system. Alternatively, in another example inwhich the proximity identification system and/or the controller 30 isconfigured to identify the physical distance between the holder and anobject, the object is considered proximate the holder in an instance inwhich the object is within a predefined distance of the holder.

Upon identification of one or more objects proximate the holder 14, theproximity identification system 32 is also configured to provideinformation to the controller 30 regarding the one or more objects thathave been identified. This information may identify the presence of theone or more objects and, in some examples, may more particularly provideidentification of the one or more objects.

The holder 14 of an example also includes an alerting output device 34carried by the housing 16 and responsive to the controller 30. As withthe controller and the proximity identification system 32, the alertingoutput device may be attached to the housing, such as the base 22 of thehousing, or may be embedded or otherwise disposed within the base of thehousing. The alerting output device is configured to provide an alert inresponse to identification of one or more objects proximate the holder.Various types of alerts may be provided. For example, the alertingoutput device may include one or more lights 34 a, such as one or morelight emitting diodes (LEDs) as shown in FIG. 1, configured to provide avisible alert. Additionally or alternatively, the alerting output devicemay include one or more speakers 34 b configured to provide an audiblealert. Additionally or alternatively, the alerting output device mayinclude a vibration source configured to provide a vibratory alert.Thus, in response to the identification of one or more objects proximatethe holder, the controller of an example is configured to cause thealerting output device to provide an alert, such as a visible alert, anaudible alert and/or a vibratory alert.

The alert notifies the user of the user identification badge 12 suchthat the user may proactively take action to avoid any incident with theobject(s) in proximity to the holder 14. For example, in response to thealert, the user may slow down and look around a corner or behind a doorprior to moving ahead in order to avoid a potential collision. Inaddition to alerting the user, the alert provided by the alerting outputdevice 34 may also alert other individuals in proximity to the user,such as other individuals who may see the visible alert and/or hear theaudible alert, and who may also take action to avoid any incident withthe user.

The holder 14 can also include a location tracking system 36. Thelocation tracking system is carried by the housing 16, such as by beingattached to the base 22 of the housing, or embedded or otherwisedisposed within the base of the housing. The location tracking system isconfigured to determine a location of the holder and, as a result, theuser. The location tracking system may be embodied in various manners.For example, the location tracking system may include a globalpositioning system (GPS) sensor for determining a relatively preciselocation of the user. Alternatively, the location tracking system mayinclude a wireless communication system, such as a Wi-Fi communicationsystem, such that by determining the Wi-Fi networks that are availablefor connection and referencing the locations associated with each of theWi-Fi networks, the location tracking system is able to identify thegeneral location of the user.

In an example that includes a location tracking system 36, the holder 14also includes a wireless transmitter 38 carried by the housing 16, suchas by being attached to the base 22 of the housing or embedded ordisposed within the base of the housing. The wireless transmitter mayoperate in accordance with any of a variety of different wirelesscommunication protocols, including cellular communication protocols,Wi-Fi communication protocols, wireless local area network (WLAN)communication protocols or the like. The holder of this example alsoincludes an emergency alarm input device 40 carried by the housing andresponsive to user input in order to signal the controller 30. In thisexample, the emergency alarm input device is embodied by a button,switch or other input device that is operably attached to and is movablerelative to the housing in response to actuation by the user, such as inresponse to an emergency condition, e.g., a health-related emergencycondition, a safety-related emergency condition or the like. Once thecontroller is signaled in response to the user input to the emergencyalarm input device, the controller is configured to cause the wirelesstransmitter to transmit an alarm signal, along with the location of theholder. The location of the holder may be determined by the locationtracking system in response to the user input. Alternatively, thelocation of the holder may be repeatedly determined by the locationtracking system and stored, for example, by the controller or a memorydevice in communication therewith such that the location may be readilyretrieved in response to the user input. The alarm signal may betransmitted to a predefined recipient, such as health care personnel,safety personnel or the like. As such, personnel may be dispatched tothe location of the user in order to address the emergency conditionidentified by the user.

Although the emergency alarm input device 40 may be configured to beresponsive to user input as described above, the emergency alarm inputdevice of other examples need not receive user input, but may beactuated by predefined conditions. For example, the holder 14 mayinclude one or more sensors, such as an accelerometer, a pressuresensor, a temperature sensor or the like. In instances in which theparameter measured by the sensor(s) is determined by the controller 30to exceed or fail to satisfy a predefined threshold, the emergency alarminput device is driven by the controller to issue a signal that, inturn, causes the wireless transmitter 38 to transmit an alarm signal. Inthis example, the controller may embody the emergency alarm input deviceas a result of its analysis of the parameter(s) measured by thesensor(s) relative to predefined threshold(s). As such, the emergencyalarm input device of this example is configured to identify anemergency condition even in an instance in which the user is unable toor otherwise fails to provide input.

The holder 14 may include additional functionality in some examples. Forexample, the holder may include a flashlight for providing illumination,such as in response to user input.

The holder 14 of an example also includes an energy storage device 44,such as a battery. The energy storage device provides power to theactive components, such as a controller 30, the proximity identificationsystem 32, the location tracking system 36, the wireless transmitter 38and the like. While the energy storage device may be embodied in variousmanners, the energy storage device of an example may include arechargeable battery. In this example, the holder may define a port,such as a Universal Serial Bus Type C (USB-C) port, for charging theenergy storage device. Alternatively or additionally, the energy storagedevice may be configured to store energy harvested from kinetic movementof the holder. In this example, the energy storage device may beembodied by a piezo transducer configured to store energy harvested fromkinetic movement of at the holder.

The holder 14 can also include an electromagnetic shield 46. Theelectromagnetic shield can be formed, for example, of a foil, such asaluminum foil layer, and may be carried by the housing 16. Theelectromagnetic shield is positioned between one or more components ofthe holder that emit electromagnetic energy and the user of the holder.For example, the electromagnetic shield may be positioned between thethe controller 30, the proximity identification system 32, the locationtracking system 36 and/or the wireless transmitter 38 of the holder andthe user of the holder. Although the electromagnetic shield may becarried by the housing in various manners, the electromagnetic shieldmay be embedded within the housing, such as the base 22 of the housingas shown in FIG. 2, or may be attached to, such as adhesively attachedto, a rear surface of the housing, that is, the rear surface of the baseof the housing, that faces the user and is opposite the useridentification badge 12.

In operation and as shown in block 50 of FIG. 4, the user identificationbadge 12 is held in the housing 16 of a holder 14 with the resultingbadge holding system then being worn by the user, such as by beingcarried by a lanyard worn by the user or by being attached, such asclipped, to an article of clothing worn by the user. As shown in block52 of FIG. 4, one or more objects proximate the holder are identifiedwith the proximity identification system 32 carried by the housing. Theproximity identification system then provides information to thecontroller 30 regarding the one or more objects that have beenidentified. See block 54. An alerting output device 34 is then caused bythe controller to provide an alert in response to the identification ofone or more objects proximate the holder. See block 56. As such, theuser may then take appropriate action to avoid an unintended incidentwith the one or more objects proximate thereto.

Concurrent with the identification of object(s) proximate the holder 14and while the user identification badge 12 is held in a housing 16 ofthe holder as shown in block 50 of FIG. 5, the location of the holder isdetermined by a location tracking system 36. See block 58 of FIG. 5. Inresponse to receipt of user input via an emergency alarm input device 40as shown in block 60, the controller 30 is signaled and a wirelesstransmitter 38 is caused to transmit an alarm signal, along with thelocation of the holder. See block 62 of FIG. 5. As such, emergencyresponders, such as medical personnel, security personnel or the like,may be dispatched to the location of the holder in order to respond tothe emergency faced by the user.

Throughout the process depicted in FIG. 3, the components of the holder14 may be supplied power by an energy storage device 44. In one example,the method further includes storing energy harvested from kineticmovement of the holder. Additionally, the method of an example includeselectromagnetically shielding the user with an electromagnetic shield 46carried by the housing 16 and positioned between at least the proximityidentification system 32 and the user.

As such, the user of a badge holding system 10 may be alerted as to thepresence of one or more objects in the proximity of the user. The usermay then proactively take steps to avoid an undesired incident with theone or more objects, thereby increasing the safety of the user.Additionally, the badge holding system 10, the holder 14 and theassociated method may provide for the issuance of an alarm signalcoupled with the location of the holder in order to permit emergencyconditions faced by the user to be readily addressed, thereby furtherincreasing the safety of the user.

The holder 14 can also include a badge identification system 48configured to identify the user of the user identification badge 12. Thebadge identification system may be embodied in various manners. In oneexample, both the user identification badge and the holder each includea respective badge identification system configured to inform the holderof the identity of the user of the user identification badge. In thisexample, both the user identification badge and the holder may includean RFID tag that identifies the user of the user identification badge tothe holder. Alternatively, the badge identification system of the holdermay include a sensor for recognizing indicia carried by the useridentification badge that identifies the user of the user identificationbadge. For example, the badge identification system of the holder mayinclude a scanner configured to read and interpret a code, such as a barcode, a quick response (QR) code or the like, carried by the useridentification badge and serving to identify the user of the useridentification badge.

By identifying the user of the user identification badge 12 inaccordance with this example, the holder 14 and, more particularly, thecontroller 30 may apply any user-specific functionality. For example,depending upon the role served by different user, different predefinedthresholds may be established for use by an emergency alarm input device40 in order to identify an emergency condition. Additionally, thewireless transmitter 38 may provide the identity of the user of the useridentification badge along with the alarm signal and the location of theholder in response to the identification of an emergency condition, suchas based upon user input. In such an instance in which an emergencyalarm is transmitted, the personnel that are dispatched not only knowthe location of the badge holding system 12, but also the identity ofthe user. As such, in an instance of a medical emergency, the medicalpersonnel may be better prepared to respond to the emergency conditionbased upon the medical history or the medical information associatedwith the user of the user identification badge who has now beenidentified by the badge identification system 48 of this example.

Many modifications and other examples of the present disclosure setforth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which theexamples pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in theforegoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is tobe understood that the present disclosure is not to be limited to thespecific examples disclosed and that modifications and other examplesare intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associateddrawings describe examples in the context of certain examplecombinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated thatdifferent combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided byalternative examples without departing from the scope of the appendedclaims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elementsand/or functions than those explicitly described above are alsocontemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims.Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a genericand descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A holder for a user identification badge, theholder comprising: a housing configured to receive and hold the useridentification badge; a controller carried by the housing; a proximityidentification system carried by the housing and configured to identifyone or more objects proximate the holder and to provide information tothe controller regarding the one or more objects that have beenidentified; and an alerting output device carried by the housing andresponsive to the controller, wherein the alerting output device isconfigured to provide an alert in response to identification of one ormore objects proximate the holder.
 2. The holder according to claim 1wherein the proximity identification system comprises a radio frequencyidentification device (RFID) tag.
 3. The holder according to claim 1wherein the alerting output device comprises one or more of thefollowing: one or more lights configured to provide a visible alert, oneor more speakers configured to provide an audible alert or a vibrationsource configured to provide a vibratory alert.
 4. The holder accordingto claim 1 further comprising a location tracking system carried by thehousing and configured to determine a location of the holder.
 5. Theholder according to claim 4 further comprising: a wireless transmittercarried by the housing; and an emergency alarm input device carried bythe housing and responsive to user input in order to signal thecontroller, wherein the controller is configured to cause the wirelesstransmitter to transmit an alarm signal along with the location of theholder.
 6. The holder according to claim 1 further comprising an energystorage device carried by the housing and configured to store energyharvested from kinetic movement of the holder.
 7. The holder accordingto claim 1 further comprising an electromagnetic shield carried by thehousing and positioned between the proximity identification system and auser of the holder.
 8. The badge holding system comprising: a useridentification badge; and a holder comprising: a housing configured toreceive and hold the user identification badge; a proximityidentification system carried by the housing and configured to identifyone or more objects proximate the holder; and an alerting output devicecarried by the housing and configured to provide an alert in response toidentification of one or more objects proximate the holder.
 9. The badgeholding system according to claim 8 wherein the holder further comprisesa badge identification system configured to identify a user of the useridentification badge.
 10. The badge holding system according to claim 9wherein the user identification badge and the holder each comprise arespective badge identification system configured to inform the holderof an identity of the user of the user identification badge.
 11. Thebadge holding system according to claim 8 wherein the holder furthercomprises a location tracking system carried by the housing andconfigured to determine a location of the holder.
 12. The badge holdingsystem according to claim 11 wherein the holder further comprises: awireless transmitter carried by the housing; and an emergency alarminput device carried by the housing and responsive to user input so asto cause the wireless transmitter to transmit an alarm signal along withthe location of the holder.
 13. The badge holding system according toclaim 8 wherein the holder further comprises an electromagnetic shieldcarried by the housing and positioned between the proximityidentification system and a user of the badge holding system.
 14. Themethod for alerting a user having a user identification badge, themethod comprising: holding the user identification badge in a housing ofa holder; identifying one or more objects proximate the holder with aproximity identification system carried by the housing; providinginformation to a controller carried by the housing regarding the one ormore objects that have been identified; and causing an alerting outputdevice carried by the housing to provide an alert in response toidentification of one or more objects proximate the holder.
 15. Themethod according to claim 14 wherein the proximity identification systemcomprises a radio frequency identification device (RFID) tag.
 16. Themethod according to claim 14 wherein the alerting output devicecomprises one or more of the following: one or more lights configured toprovide a visible alert, one or more speakers configured to provide anaudible alert or a vibration source configured to provide a vibratoryalert.
 17. The method according to claim 14 further comprisingdetermining a location of the holder with a location tracking systemcarried by the housing.
 18. The method according to claim 17 furthercomprising: receiving user input via an emergency alarm input devicecarried by the housing in order to signal the controller; and causing awireless transmitter to transmit an alarm signal along with the locationof the holder.
 19. The method according to claim 14 further comprisingstoring energy harvested from kinetic movement of the holder.
 20. Themethod according to claim 14 further comprising at least partiallyelectromagnetically shielding the user with an electromagnetic shieldcarried by the housing and positioned between the proximityidentification system and the user.